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Union Cabinet clears Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019

WION Web Team
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Dec 04, 2019, 12:56 PM IST
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File Photo. Photograph:(ANI)

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If passed, the bill will apply to all States and Union Territories of the country and the beneficiaries of Citizenship Amendment Bill will be able to reside in any state of the country.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which will now be tabled in Parliament next week. 

The bill seeks to provide Indian nationality to Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists fleeing persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, said sources.

The Bill, which amends the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants in select categories eligible for citizenship, has been attacked by the opposition on the grounds that it is at odds with the Constitution.

If passed, the bill will apply to all States and Union Territories of the country and the beneficiaries of Citizenship Amendment Bill will be able to reside in any state of the country.

The bill was originally introduced in 2016 and was later sent to the JPC. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on January 8 this year. However, it was not tabled in the Rajya Sabha and had later lapsed.

Several organisations have also expressed reservations against the bill.

(With inputs from agencies)